5 Simple Principles For A Better Work – Life Balance

Bal-ance – to render equal in proportion; even distribution of weight or amount.

I am a huge proponent of balance, especially in the intangible activities of life.  I’m not exactly sure if my preference is due to how I was raised or if it is deeply embedded in the bowels of my genetic make up.  Whatever the impetus, I always strive to achieve balance.

Balance in life for me for the most part encompasses work, rest and play (although I have been sacrificing the latter two lately).  But I also strive to achieve an aesthetic balance in the tangible.  I want elements of the tangible to be tastefully pleasing to the eye.  For example, I simply can’t tolerate a room that is disheveled or has no flow.  What I mean is if the furniture is illogically placed or if things are scattered about, to me that room is out of balance.

Also, as I write this post, I want the end result to be…you guessed it, balanced.  I want what I share with you to be pleasing to the eye.

One of the main areas that probably 85% of the working population face is finding the right balance between work and personal life. The lines between the two are not always that distinct. According to personal coach and author of the very popular Now What?: 90 Days to a New Life Direction Laura Berman Fortgang, getting your priorities clear is essential.  It is the most important step toward achieving a well-balanced life.  What is key is to figure out what you want your priorities to be and not what you think they should be.

If you have been struggling to find balance between work and life try simplifying things a bit.  There is an innate tendency for us to take upon much more than we are reasonably capable of doing.

Here are the key principles that can provide a good place for you to start because without finding the right balance between work and your personal life, you could end up failing in both areas:

Set Physical Boundaries – Train yourself to shed off problems at work the moment you leave your office. Use the time you spend traveling home to get rid of residual stress. By the time you enter your home, you should have all your work problems shelved inside a drawer that you can only pull open when you go back to the office.

Balance is doing the same things about problems at home. Problems are better solved when you ponder them in appropriate settings. You should let your family and friends know that you find it easier to function if they’d wait for you to come home before telling you about any areas of concern. Of course, emergencies are an exception.

Manage Your Time Effectively – Time is the most precious commodity of all because it’s something you simply can’t buy. When yesterday gives way to tomorrow, you can never get it back. Therefore you must make full use of every moment of your time.

Balance is avoiding wasted time whether you are at work or at home. Similarly, avoid doing either excessively. You’ll be much happier if you’re able to satisfy your needs in both aspects of your life. Plans must be made early. Spontaneity is good once in a while,  but if you allow your impulses to rule your life entirely, things can become complicated.  Remember….equal proportions.

Enjoy Your Achievement – If you’ve achieved something at work, take the time to savor the pleasure of completing the task. After all, there’s no point in working hard for something when you don’t take the time to enjoy it’s rewards. Do the very same thing at home. If there’s something to be happy about, don’t let it pass you by,  celebrate.   For instance,  go out with your loved ones or reward yourself with a little treat like letting go of your strict diet regime for one day or take full advantage of a shopping spree.

Balance isn’t just something you can achieve by having a detailed schedule in your organizer. Balance is also a mental and emotional state: you need to make a conscious effort of alleviating your stress, relaxing yourself, and allowing yourself be happy whenever a milestone has been reached at work or being happy simply for the sake of being with your loved ones.

Know When To Quit – Giving up is not always a sin. If you’ve truly given your best, pushing yourself further could do you more harm than good.  This can happen at work or at home. Don’t work too hard. Don’t play too hard. There are people who have a difficult time quitting and if you’re one of them then you must make a concerted effort to find balance before you pay a dear price emotionally or physically.

Balance is also about knowing your limits. You can test them once in a while, but make sure you don’t go completely overboard.

Get A Life Coach – Last but not the least, if  you have tried everything and nothing has helped in your efforts to achieve work/life balance then maybe it’s time to employ the services of a life coach. A life coach is not necessarily a psychiatrist. This person is qualified to help you analyze your goals for life and attain them. If it’s balance you want then a life coach will certainly be more than happy to help you find it.

To learn more about  getting a life coach I recommend: The Coach Connection.

It is a great place to learn more about life coaching benefits.  Also, make sure you take advantage of their free consultation.

If you liked what I shared with you today, I’d be more than happy to hear your comments below and be sure to share on Twitter. Your followers will appreciate you.

Thank you…much love,

*top photo credit: james jordan

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